GREEN BAY, Wis. – James Starks not only has a knee injury but also has been excused from all Green Bay Packers team activities this week for a death in his family, leaving his status for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys in question.

Starks finished last Sunday’s game against the New York Giants in place of starting running back Eddie Lacy, who dropped out because of an ankle injury. The issue with Starks' knee popped up after a workout on Tuesday, coach Mike McCarthy said.

Starks is expected back in Green Bay on Saturday, but it’s unknown if he’ll be healthy enough to participate in the team's day-before-the-game workout.

"In respect to James and his family, we’ll answer those questions once we get to that point,” McCarthy said Thursday.

Lacy took a step toward playing on Sunday when he made it through Wednesday’s practice as a limited participant – very limited based on the open portion of practice – and apparently had no setbacks.

“He’s good; that’s what he keeps telling me,” McCarthy said before Thursday’s practice. “He had a good day yesterday, we’ll see what he can do today. We’ll get a better idea where he is, but he went through the rehab and so far, so good.”

If Starks can’t play, the Packers will have to decide if they think they can get through the game with only Lacy, who had his left ankle heavily taped on Wednesday. They have only those two natural halfbacks on the roster along with fullback Aaron Ripkowski. They also have used receivers Randall Cobb (five carries) and Ty Montgomery (two carries) in limited roles out of the backfield. The other option would be to promote Don Jackson from the practice squad, but they would have to create another roster spot for him. That could be difficult considering they’re already likely to add defensive end Mike Pennel and possibly cornerback Demetri Goodson off the suspended list. They would need to create room on the roster for both Pennel and Goodson.

“That’s really what the game plans are for, and frankly Eddie’s health will have a lot to do with what direction we go,” McCarthy said. “He’s a featured player in our offense, just stating the obvious.”